The Ming tombs (明十三陵) are a collection of mausoleums built by the emperors of the Ming dynasty of China. The tomb of the first Ming ruler, the Hongwu Emperor (r. 1368–1398), is located near his capital Nanjing. However, the majority of the Ming tombs are located in a cluster near Beijing and collectively known as the Thirteen Tombs of the Ming dynasty. They are located within the suburban Changping District of Beijing Municipality, 42 kilometers north-northwest of Beijing’s city center. After the construction of the Imperial Palace (Forbidden City) in 1420, the Yongle Emperor selected his burial site and created his own mausoleum. The subsequent emperors placed their tombs in the same valley.

Below is a selection of photos taken during a visit to the Ming Tombs on December 16, 2013. Click on a small photo for a larger view, then select the next one with the cursor keys or the arrows on either side of the photo.